salty dog rag

The Salty Dog Rag is a wonderful tradition of Dartmouth Outing Chubbers, dating back to who knows when. It's a really really really fun dance, best done double or triple-time. The song to which this dance is always done is a wonder in and of itself, but wow, put them both together and you have a bunch of smiling, sweating, dancing, happy chubbers!

Think Schottische. The footwork is (1-2-3-hop 1-2-3-hop step-hop-step-hop-step-hop-step-hop) which I will refer to as a Unit. There are two verses and a chorus, each of which is two units long, and each of which is a one-Unit choreography repeated twice. It starts with the verse.

At the end of the verse, turn to face your partner. This should put the man on the inside of the circle looking out, and the lady on the outside looking in. Release hands and both take the 1-2-3-hop to your own left, catching each other by your outstretched right hand at the last moment. Pull by strongly, release hands, and take the next 1-2-3-hop to your own right, past your partner, with a clap at the same time as the hop. Sneaking in an extra spin is always in good taste. Now, take left hands and turn all the way around in four step-hops. Repeat and return to skater's position.

The second verse is tricky, and exchanges the 1-2-3-hop for other footwork. Two 1-2-3-hops gives you eight beats which are broken down as follows